Germany Boosts Defense Budget and Advances Space Security Strategy Amid Rising Global Threats

Germany is significantly increasing its defense spending in response to heightened international security risks, notably due to Russia's aggression in Ukraine and suspected hybrid attacks on Europe. The German Ministry of Defense (BMVg) plans to allocate more than 108 billion euros for external security in 2026, with projections to rise to approximately 152 billion euros by 2029—a threefold increase from 2023 levels. These investments aim to strengthen Germany’s deterrence and defense capabilities and fulfill NATO’s capability requirements, as Germany commits to the second-largest capability package among allies. The government seeks to meet NATO’s defense spending target of 3.5% of GDP six years ahead of schedule, indicating Germany’s dedication to shared defense responsibilities within the alliance.

Alongside this, Germany is also intensifying its focus on space security. Recognizing satellites as a critical vulnerability and "Achilles' heel" of modern societies, German and European authorities are planning to substantially enhance satellite protection and space defense measures. The European Space Agency (ESA) will deliberate on a new budget at the upcoming summit in Bremen, with ESA Chief Josef Aschbacher advocating for at least 22 billion euros, though financial constraints may affect the final allocation.

Germany's new space strategy includes deploying surveillance satellites, electromagnetic pulse protection, and laser systems designed to neutralize potential threats, emphasizing deterrence rather than offensive capabilities. Germany plans to invest around 35 billion euros over five years in military space projects, a figure surpassing other European nations. This shift responds to increased awareness sparked by the war in Ukraine, which has shown vulnerabilities in satellite infrastructure due to signal disruptions linked to Russian hybrid warfare.

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius underscores the importance of this strategy, highlighting the need to reduce dependency on U.S. space partnerships and coordinate a European defense approach. Although Germany's formal space security strategy was slower to develop compared to nations like Poland and France, its substantial financial commitment establishes it as a European leader in space defense.

Together, these efforts reflect Germany’s comprehensive approach to strengthening both terrestrial and space defense capabilities amid evolving global security challenges.